Posted on August 7, 2019
C-SPAN Washington Journal
Ron Honberg, Senior Policy Advisor, was on C-SPAN Washington Journal for a 30-minute segment on “Red Flag” laws that included call-in questions from the public. Ron talked about the fact that people with mental illness are more often the victims of violence than the perpetrators. He discussed how the rhetoric around mass shootings and mental illness is damaging and the importance of reducing stigma and discrimination around mental illness.
READ MOREPosted on August 6, 2019
Newsweek
Reports that while Trump has attempted to link mass shootings to mental health issues, he has simultaneously proposed budgets that would strip hundreds of billions from Medicaid. Medicaid is "the most critical part of any conversation about mental health care," Jennifer Snow, the acting National Director of Advocacy and Public Policy at NAMI, told Newsweek. "It's the nation's largest payer for mental health and substance abuse services." Trump's proposed FY2020 request sought to add $115 million to SAMHSA. But this proposal merely increased funding "by pennies toward SAMHSA while gutting Medicaid," Snow said.
READ MOREPosted on August 6, 2019
CNBC
In response to the president’s remarks, the National Alliance on Mental Illness said the statements were “contrary and only serve to perpetuate stigma and distract from the real issues.” “In the U.S., it is easier to get a gun than it is to get mental health care,” Acting CEO Angela Kimball said in a statement. “We need to flip the script. It should be easy—not hard—for people to get the mental health care they need.”
READ MOREPosted on August 5, 2019
Washington Post
Mental health advocates say comments such as Trump’s labeling shooters as “mentally ill monsters” can exacerbate false stereotypes about the mentally ill. “When you blame people with mental illness for things like mass shootings, it’s not just untrue,” said Angela Kimball, head of NAMI. “It keeps people from seeking help even when they need it. It spreads unjustified fears about the mentally ill and worsens the stigma around it."
READ MOREPosted on July 30, 2019
Variety
Features NAMI in the list of 50 Impactful Charities and highlights that NAMI offers classes and training for people living with mental illnesses, their families and community members. “I have several family members who suffer from and live with mental illness,” says actor-producer Sterling K. Brown. “From anxiety to bipolar to schizophrenia, the profound level of sadness these unseen wounds can cause is tremendous. NAMI is all about destroying stigma, and creating empathy for the mentally ill.”
READ MOREPosted on July 24, 2019
The New York Times
Reports on how lawmakers in Oregon and Utah have recognized the importance of the mental health of their students by allowing them to take sick days just for that. On July 1, 2019 a law in Oregon went into effect giving students five mental health days in a three-month period. The new laws are “a huge win, especially for individuals and families that are affected by mental health conditions,” said Jennifer Rothman, Senior Manager for Youth and Young Adult Initiatives. “The suicide rates for kids are not going down,” Rothman said. “They are actually rising very quickly, which I think is making schools think a little bit more about mental health conditions.”
READ MOREPosted on July 23, 2019
247Sports
Article about NAMI’s new Strength over Silence video featuring Cleveland Browns offensive tackle and NAMI Ambassador Chris Hubbard. The article provides links to both the NAMI website and the Strength over Silence video.
READ MOREPosted on July 19, 2019
Healthleaders
A federal judge sided with the administration, affirming a final rule that expanded access to short-term limited-duration insurance (STLDI). The plaintiffs, including NAMI and Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP), said they will appeal the decision. "We have no intention of stopping until we end discriminatory coverage," said Angela Kimball, acting CEO. "This ruling is a step in the wrong direction. It lets junk plans compete with comprehensive health insurance, even though they don't have to provide the same level of mental health coverage—or any mental health coverage at all. We will join an appeal of this decision because the health of our nation includes its mental health. It is imperative that insurance plans provide essential mental health benefits for all Americans, plain and simple."
READ MOREPosted on July 18, 2019
Kaiser Health News
Reports that while a diagnosis of cancer might garner sympathy at work and a casserole for the family, an admission of a psychotic disorder might elicit judgment, fear and avoidance among co-workers. The pressure is growing on employers to adopt better strategies for dealing with mental health. Companies have been working to support employees is by pressuring their insurers to offer a more robust array of mental health benefits. “Employers can often feel that they’re at the mercy of health plans. But employers have the power of the pocketbook,” said Angela Kimball, acting CEO, NAMI. “They have an enormous ability to change the market by simply demanding better.”
READ MOREPosted on July 15, 2019
A growing number of people in the St. Louis region are seeking mental health treatment in emergency rooms, according to a report from the St. Louis County health departments. The report found an increase of more than 40% for people seeking mental health care in emergency rooms. “The one-time treatment given in emergency room departments, even at the best hospitals, is often incompatible with the treatment needed to treat mental health problems,” said Jennifer Snow, Public Policy Director, NAMI. “Illnesses such as depression, addiction and schizophrenia often require regular doctors’ visits to monitor treatment and provide counseling or other types of therapy,” she said. “We need to make mental health care more accessible so people can get treated before they get to a situation where they are in crisis and have nowhere else to turn other than go to the ER,” Snow said.
READ MORENAMI HelpLine is available M-F, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. ET. Call 800-950-6264,
text “helpline” to 62640, or chat online. In a crisis, call or text 988 (24/7).
